This study uses the water quality footprint to quantify nitrogen, phosphorus, and glyphosate emissions from agriculture supporting Germany's bioeconomy in 1995 and 2020. The virtual water needed to dilute pollution is vast, exceeding 90 times the volume of Lake Constance in 2020. If dilution were to occur in exporting countries, the required water volume would be far greater than local irrigation needs, potentially exceeding water availability, particularly in China, Spain, and India. The study highlights the global impact of German consumption and the need for monitoring agricultural practices in supplying countries.
Publisher
Communications Earth & Environment
Published On
Nov 02, 2023
Authors
Anna C. Schomberg, Stefan Bringezu, Arthur W. H. Beusen
Tags
water quality footprint
nitrogen emissions
phosphorus emissions
glyphosate pollution
bioeconomy
virtual water
agricultural practices
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